The church of the Holy Wisdom," Haghia Sophia is among the world's greatest architectural achievements. More than 1,400 years old, it stands as a testament to the sophistication of 6th-century Constantinople, and had a huge influence on architecture in the centuries that followed. The vast edifice was built over two earlier churches and inaugurated by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I in 537. In the 15th century, the Ottomans converted it into a mosque: the minarets, tombs, and fountains date from this period. To help support the structure's great weight, the exterior Entrance 1453 has been buttressed on numerous occasions, which has partly obscured its original shape.

Structure of the day_Haghia Sophia, Istanbul

world's greatest architectural achievements.

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The nchurch of the Holy Wisdom," Haghia Sophia is among the world's greatest architectural achievements. More than 1,400 years old, it stands as a testament to the sophistication of 6th-century Constantinople, and had a huge influence on architecture in the centuries that followed. The vast edifice was built over two earlier churches and inaugurated by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I in 537. In the 15th century, the Ottomans converted it into a mosque: the minarets, tombs, and fountains date from this period. To help support the structure's great weight, the exterior Entrance 1453 has been buttressed on numerous occasions, which has partly obscured its original shape.

UPPER WALLS AND DOME MOSAICS

The apse is dominated by a large and striking mosaic showing the Virgin with the infant Jesus on her lap 1\No other mosaics, urweiled in 867, depict the archangels Gabriel and Michael, although only fragments of the latter rema1n Portraits of the saints Ignatius the Younger, John Chrysostom, and Ignatius Theoj:horus adorn n1ches in the north tympanum. In a concave area at the base of the dome is a mosaic of the s ixwinged seraphim. The dome is decorated with Koranic inscriptions (calligraphic roundels). It was once covered in gold mosaic tiles.

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Mosaics

The church's splendid Byzantine mosaics include this one at the end of the south gallery. It depicts Christ flank.ed by E!Tl)eror Constantine IX and his wife, the E!Tl)ress Zoe.

WEEPING PILLAR

Crowds often gather around the pillar of St. Gregory the MiracleWorker in the northwest comer of the ground floor. Moisture seeping from this brass-dad column is believed to have healing powers.

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THE GROUND FLOOR

The 1 nterior of Haghia Sophia succeeds in imparting a truly celestial feel. Highlights include the fine Byzantine mosaics, mostly dating from the 9th century or later. The most conspicuous features at ground level are those added by the Ottoman sultans after the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, when the church was converted into a mosque. These compnse the rnhrab, a n1che indicating the direct1on of Mecca, the minbar, a platform used by the imam to deliver sermons; the Sultan's loge, a safe place in which the sultan could pray; and the Kursu, a throne used by the imam while reading from the Koran.

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Ablutions Fountain

Ablutions Fountain > Built around 1740, this fountain is an exquisite example of Turk.ish Rococo style.lts projecting roof is painted with floral reliefs.

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Mausoleum of Murat Ill

The sultan was buried here in 1599. By the time of his death, he had fathered 103 children.

Seraphim

A mosaic of a six-winged angel has recently been uncovered on one of the triangular sections that support the dome.

BYZANTINE STYLE

When Emperor Constantine I (r. 306-337) chose Byzantium for his capital and renamed it Constantinople, he amassed artists, architects, and craftsmen to build his new imperial dty They came mainly from Rome, bringing with them an Early Christian style. Eastern influences were added to this and a distinct Byzantine style evolved. Churches, once based on a longitudinal design, became centralize~as at Haghia Sophia-with an eastern apse and three a is les. Mosa1cs depicting angels, archangels and saints, in hierarchical order, covered the interiors and the Vtrg1n Mary would be pictured in one of the domes. Fig.Jres were front -on. wth large, penetrating eyes, and set against a gold back· ground Sculpture took the form of small relief carvings, rather than figures. The Byzantines were also sophisticated metalworkers, producing bronze church doors inlaid with silver

The Warrior

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Haghia Sophia, Istanbul